A representative from the Illinois Manufacturers' Association is rallying against a new coal gasification plant on Chicago's Southwest side.  IMA Vice President Mark Denzler says downstate homeowners and businesses will have to foot the tab for the plant.

[audio:rddLeucadia1.mp3]  [/audio]

Hundreds have rallied against the plant, along with a broad coalition of Illinois businesses, environmental, agricultural and consumer groups.  They're urging Governor Quinn to veto a bill to build the alternative power plant.  Denzler says the plant will be very costly to natural gas customers, forcing them to pay eight and a half billion dollars over the next 30 years to subsidize the project.  He says the price of synthetic gas is about three to four times more expensive than what natural gas costs now.